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STEEL
In her new novel, Steel, Kathleen Novak returns with a tightly woven love story set against the turmoil of the 1920s-gun violence, urban crime, ethnic conflicts, and finally the Great Depression.
As the narrative moves from the edges of the world's largest iron ore mine to the gritty streets of Chicago, two lovers come together believing their destiny has no limits, that they can be and do whatever they choose. But when they make different choices and begin to fall away from one another, the young man sinks to a desperation that no one around him can predict or prevent. The stock market crashes. He loses his job. He loses himself.
And then there is his father's gun, always hanging on the wall near the door.
Suspenseful and poetic, Steel takes you from the gang shootings of Chicago and the beautiful anguish of first love, forward to the present day and an aging man's reflections on family and want-and truth.
As the narrative moves from the edges of the world's largest iron ore mine to the gritty streets of Chicago, two lovers come together believing their destiny has no limits, that they can be and do whatever they choose. But when they make different choices and begin to fall away from one another, the young man sinks to a desperation that no one around him can predict or prevent. The stock market crashes. He loses his job. He loses himself.
And then there is his father's gun, always hanging on the wall near the door.
Suspenseful and poetic, Steel takes you from the gang shootings of Chicago and the beautiful anguish of first love, forward to the present day and an aging man's reflections on family and want-and truth.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2022
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 27, 2023
I loved the way Novak handled building the story through layers of perspective and time. The beginning was a little slow to get started as the scene was set, but the book was never meant to be fast-paced. It's more of a slow building crescendo that hooks you when you least expect it. Once I was invested in Tony, I was all in and heartbroken by the end.
February 20, 2022
"STEEL" is Kathleen Novak’s newest novel. The setting is the Morris Location of Hibbing, Minnesota, the author's home town. Complex, memorable characters live out stories set in the 1920s - just prior to the Great Depression - and in more modern days. Novak's gift as writer and poet are on full display in STEEL. I love everything about this novel. I give it my highest praise and recommendation!
March 7, 2022
Wow! As a recent transplant to the Iron Range, I read this story with heartfelt joy and sorrow. I walk these streets in these small towns now and see the remnants of the life described in these pages. I am humbled.
February 21, 2022
Excellent!!!
A story of young love, immigrant parents, last hint and working in a mining
town that the company control was present in everything. A worthwhile read!!!
A story of young love, immigrant parents, last hint and working in a mining
town that the company control was present in everything. A worthwhile read!!!
February 22, 2022
Well written
Struck home for this heir of an iron mining family. And human being. A story of love and loss and survival.
Struck home for this heir of an iron mining family. And human being. A story of love and loss and survival.
February 27, 2022
Authentic Iron Range characters and setting. Compelling story line with a surprise at the end. A good quick read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews